IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


m 


IIM 

112 


m 


—     6" 


M 

Z2 
2.0 


mm 

U    IIIIII.6 


V] 


<^ 


^? 


c^: 


(T). 


/}. 


0% 


^l 


^  #  j>' 


<$>! 


V 


^ 


^ 


y 


/^ 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)872-4503 


^ 


,\ 


:\ 


V 


\ 


^\^ 


<^ 


>^ 


% 


v^^ 


%^ 


L/j 


LS' 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/iCMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductlons  historiques 


^ 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  ur  ique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


n 


D 


y 


n 


n 


□ 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagee 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pelliculde 


□    Cover  title  missing/ 
Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


□    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  !e  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procure.    Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  methods  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


D 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pelliculdes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxei 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachet^es  ou  piqu^es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tach^es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  indgale  de  {'impression 

includes  supplementary  materia 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


I      I  Pages  damaged/ 

I      I  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

r~y\  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

I      I  Pages  detached/ 

r~^  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  includes  supplementary  material/ 

I      I  Only  edition  available/ 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6x6  film^es  d  nouveau  de  fagon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


J 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Douglas  Library 
Queen's  University 


L'exemplaire  filmA  fut  reproduit  grAce  d  la 
g4n4rosit6  de: 

Douglas  Library 
Queen's  University 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contrr  ct  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6tA  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  I'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sent  film6s  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iliustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commen^ant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iliustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  das  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symboie  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc..  may  be  filmed  et 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
fiimis  d  des  taux  de  rdduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  le  mithode. 


j:    1 

s 

1 

9 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

!.,    . 


I*    I! 

m 


rt''- 


^\n  ^outl)  Itcaflctfif 

No.  36. 

The  Death 
of  De  Soto, 


From  thk  •' \akrati\  k  ok  thk  Gknti.k.man  ok  Klva.i." 


The  next  day  being  Wednesday,  the  2()in  of  March  [1542], 
the  Governor  came  to  jV/7co  ;  he  lodged  with  all  his  men  in  the 
cacique's  town,  which  stood  in  a  plain  field,  which  was  in- 
habited for  the  space  of  a  quarter  of  a  league  :  and  within  a 
league  and  half  a  league  were  other  very  great  towns,  wherein  was 
great  store  of  maize,  of  P'rench  beans,  of  walnuts,  and  prunes. 
'This  was  the  best  inhabited  country  that  was  seen  in  FloriJa, 
and  had  most  store  of  maize,  except  Co^a  and  .ipirlachc.  There 
came  to  the  camp  an  Indian  accompanied  with  others,  and  in 
the  cacique's  name  gave  the  Governor  a  mantle  of  martens' 
skins,  and  a  cordon  of  pearls.  The  Go^-ernor  gave  him  a  few 
small  margarites,  which  are  certain  beads  much  esteemed  in 
Peru^  and  other  things,  wherewith  he  was  very  well  contentetl. 
He  promised  to  return  within  two  days,  but  never  came  again  : 
but  on  the  contrary  the  Indians  came  by  night  in  canoes,  and 
carried  away  all  the  maize  they  could,  and  made  them  cabins 
on  the  other  side  of  the  river  in  the  thickest  of  the  wood,  because 
they  might  flee  if  we  should  go  to  seek  them.  The  (iovernor, 
seeing  he  came  not  at  the  time  appointed,  commanded  an  am- 
bush to  be  laid  about  certain  store-houses  near  the  lake,  whither 
the  Indians  came  for  maize  :  where  they  took  two  Indians,  who 
told  the  Governor,  that  he  which  came  to  visit  him  was  not  the 
cacicjue,  but  was  sent  by  him  under  pretence  to  spy  whether  the 
Christians  were  careless,  and  whether  they  determined  to  settle 
in  that  country  or  to  go  forward.  Presently  the  Governor  sent 
a  captain  with  footmen  and  horsemen  over  the  river;  and  in 
their  passage  they  were  descried  of  the  Indians,  and  therefore 
he  could  take  but  ten  or  twelve  men  and  women,  with  whom  he 
returned  to  the  camp.  This  river,  which  passed  by  A'llco,  was 
that  which  passed  by  Cayas  and  Autiamqiie,  and  fell    into  Ku 


f 


IM 


GrdHife,  or  the  Great  River,  which  pp.ssed  by  Pachaha  and 
yl(/nixi)  near  unto  tlic  province  of  Guachoya :  and  the  lord 
thereof  came  up  the  river  in  canoes  to  make  war  with  him  of 
Niho.  On  his  behalf  there  came  an  Indian  to  the  (Governor, 
and  said  unto  him  that  he  was  his  servant,  and  prayed  him  so 
to  hold  him,  and  that  within  two  days  he  would  come  to  kiss  his 
lordship's  hands  :  and  at  the  time  appointed  he  came  with  some 
of  his  principal  Indians,  which  accompanied  him,  and  with 
words  of  great  offers  and  courtesy  he  gave  the  Goverrior  a 
present  of  many  mantles  and  deers'  skins.  The  Governor  gave 
him  some  other  things  in  recomj^ense,  and  honored  him  much. 
He  asked  what  towns  there  were  down  the  river.  He  an- 
swered that  he  knew  none  other  but  his  own  :  and  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river  the  province  of  a  cacicjue  called  (Juigalta.  So 
he  took  his  leave  of  the  Governor  and  went  to  his  own  town. 
Within  a  few  days  the  Governor  determined  to  go  to  Gnachoya^ 
to  learn  there  whether  the  sea  were  near,  or  whether  there  were 
any  habitation  near,  where  he  might  relieve  his  company,  while 
the  brigantines  were  making,  which  he  meant  to  send  to  the 
land  of  the  Christians.  As  he  passed  the  river  Nilco,  there  came 
in  canoes  Indians  of  Gnachoya  up  the  stream,  and  when  they 
saw  him,  supposing  that  he  came  to  seek  them  to  do  them  some 
hurt,  they  returned  down  the  river,  and  informed  the  cacique 
thereof :  who  with  all  his  people,  spoiling  the  town  of  all  that 
they  coidd  carry  away,  passed  that  night  over  to  the  other  side 
of  the  Rio  Grande,  or  the  Great  River.  The  Governor  sent  a 
c.iptain  with  fifty  men  in  six  canoes  down  the  river,  and  went 
himself  by  land  with  the  rest.  He  came  to  Gnachoya  upon  Sun- 
da},  the  17th  of  April.  He  lodged  in  the  town  of  the  cacique, 
which  was  enclosed  about,  and  seated  a  crossbow  shot  distant 
from  the  river.  Here  the  river  is  called  7\imaliseu,  and  in  JVi/co 
lapatu,  and  in  Co^a  Mico,  and  in  the  port  or  mouth  Hi, 

As  soon  as  the  Governor  came  ta  Gnachoya,  he  sent  John 
Dannsco  with  as  many  men  as  could  go  in  the  canoes  up  the 
river.  For  when  they  came  down  from  Nilco,  they  saw  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river  new  cabins  made.  John  j)anusco  went  and 
brought  the  canoes  laden  with  maize,  French  beans,  prunes,  and 
many  loaves  made  of  the  substance  of  prunes.  That  day  came 
an  Indian  to  the  Governor  from  the  Cacique  of  Gnachoya,  and 
said  that  his  lord  would  come  the  next  day.  The  next  day 
they  saw  many  canoes  come  up  the  river,  and  on  the  other  side 
of  the  Great  River  they  assembled  together  in  the  space  of  an 
hour.  They  consulted  whether  they  should  come  or  not ;  and 
at  length  concluded  to  come,  and  crossed  the  river.     In  them 


e 
m 
id 
m 


came  ilie  Cacifjue  of  Guachoya,  and  brought  with  him  many 
Indians,  with  jjruat  store  of  tish,  clogs,  deers'  skins,  and  mantles; 
and  as  soon  as  they  landed,  they  went  to  the  lodging  of  the 
Governor,  and  presented  him  their  gifts,  and  the  cacique 
uttered   these   words;  — 

"  Mighty  and  excellent  lord,  I  beseech  your  lordsliip  to 
pardon  me  the  error  which  I  committed  in  absenting  myself, 
and  not  tarrying  in  this  town  to  have  received  and  served  your 
hjrdship  ;  since,  to  obtain  this  opportunity  of  time  was,  and  is 
as  much  as  a  great  victory  to  me.  lUit  I  feared  that  which  I 
needed  not  to  have  feared,  and  so  did  that  which  was  not  rea- 
son to  do.  But  as  haste  maketh  waste,  and  I  removed  without 
deliberation;  so,  as  soon  as  I  thought  on  it,  I  determined  not 
to  follow  tlie  opinion  of  the  foolish,  which  is  to  continue  in 
their  error;  but  to  imitate  the  wise  and  discreet,  in  changing 
my  counsel,  and  so  I  came  to  see  what  your  lordship  will  com- 
mand me  to  do,  that  I  may  serve  you  in  all  things  that  are  in 
my  power." 

The  (jovernor  received  him  with  much  joy,  and  gave  him 
thanks  for  his  present  and  offer.  He  asked  him,  whether 
he  had  any  notice  of  the  sea.  He  answered  no,  nor  of  any 
towns  down  the  river  on  that  side  ;  save  that  two  leagues  from 
thence  was  one  town  of  a  principal  Indian,  a  subject  of  his; 
and  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  three  days'  journey  from 
thence  down  the  river,  was  the  j^rovince  of  Qnignifa,  which  was 
the  greatest  lord  tliat  was  in  that  country !  The  Governor 
thought  that  the  cacique  lied  unto  him,  to  rid  him  out  of  his 
own  towns,  and  seni  John  Danusco  with  eight  horsemen  down 
the  river,  to  see  what  habitation  there  was,  and  to  inform  him- 
self, if  there  were  any  notice  of  the  sea.  He  travelled  eif^ht 
days,  and  at  his  return  he  said,  that  in  all  that  time  he  was  not 
able  to  go  above  fourteen  or  fifteen  leagues,  because  of  the 
great  creeks  that  came  out  of  the  river,  and  groves  of  canes, 
and  thick  woods  that  were  along  the  banks  of  the  river,  and 
that  he  had  found  no  habitation.  The  Governor  fell  into 
great  dumps  to  see  how  hard  it  was  to  get  to  the  sea  ;  and 
worse,  because  his  men  and  horses  every  day  diminished,  being 
without  succor  to  sustain  themselves  in  the  country:  and  with 
that  thought  he  fell  sick.  But  before  he  took  his  bed  he  sent 
an  Indian  to  the  Cacique  of  Quigalta  to  tell  him  that  he  was 
the  child  of  the  sun,  and  that  all  the  way  that  he  came  all  men 
obeyed  and  served  him,  that  he  requested  him  to  accept  of  his 
friendship  and  come  unto  him,  for  he  would  be  very  glad  to 
see  him  ;  and  in  sign  of  love  and  obedience  to  bring  something 


mr 


wiih  him  of  that  which  in  his  country  was  most  esteemed.  Thi- 
cacique  answered  by  tlie  same  Indian  : 

"'i'liat  whereas  he  said  he  was  the  child  of  the  sun,  if  he 
would  dry  up  the  river  he  would  believe  him  ;  and  touching  the 
rest,  that  he  was  wont  to  visit  none  ;  but  rather  that  all  those  of 
whom  he  had  notice  did  visit  him,  served,  obeyed,  and  paid  him 
tributes  willingly  or  i)erforce  ;  therelore,  if  he  desirecl  to  see 
him,  it  were  best  he  should  come  thither;  that  if  he  came  in 
jjeace,  he  would  receive  him  with  special  good  will  ;  and  if  in 
war,  in  like  manner  he  would  attend  him  in  the  town  where  he 
was,  and  that  for  him  or  any  oiher  he  would  not  shrink  one 
foot  back." 

IJy  that  time  the  Indian  returned  with  this  answer,  the 
Governor  had  betaken  himself  to  bed,  being  evil  handled  with 
fevers,  and  was  much  aggrieved  that  he  was  not  in  case  to  pass 
presently  the  river  and  to  seek  him,  to  see  if  he  cculd  abate 
that  pride  of  his,  considering  the  river  went  now  very  strongly 
in  those  parts;  for  it  was  near  half  a  league  broad,  and  sixteen 
fathoms  dee|),  and  very  furious,  and  ran  with  a  great  current  ; 
and  on  both  sides  there  were  many  Indians,  and  his  power  was 
not  now  so  great,  but  that  he  had  need  to  help  himself  rather 
by  slights  than  by  force.  The  Indians  of  Guachoya  came  every 
day  with  fish  in  such  numbers,  that  the  town  was  full  of  them. 
The  cacique  said,  that  on  a  certain  night  he  of  Quigalta  would 
come  to  give  battle  to  the  Governor.  Which  the  Governor  im- 
agined that  he  had  devised,  to  drive  him  out  of  his  country,  and 
commanded  him  to  be  put  in  hold  :  and  that  night  and  all  the  rest, 
there  was  good  watch  kept.  He  asked  him  wherefore  Quigaila 
came  not  .'  He  said  thai  he  came,  but  that  he  saw  him  prepared, 
and  therefore  durst  not  give  the  attempt :  and  he  was  earnest 
with  him  to  send  his  captains  over  the  river,  and  that  he  would 
aid  him  with  many  men  to  set  upon  Quigalta.  The  Governor 
told  him  that  as  soon  as  he  was  recovered,  himself  would  seek 
him  out.  And  seeing  how  many  Indians  came  daily  to  the 
town,  and  what  store  of  people  was  in  that  country,  fearing  they 
should  all  conspire  together  and  plot  some  treason  against  him  ; 
and  because  the  town  had  some  open  gaps  which  were  not 
made  an  end  of  inclosing,  besides  the  gates  which  they  went  in 
and  out  by:  because  the  Indians  should  not  think  he  feared 
ihem,  he  let  them  all  alone  unrepaired;  and  commanded  the 
horsemen  to  be  appointed  to  them,  and  to  the  gates :  and  all 
night  the  horsemen  went  the  round  ;  and  two  and  two  of  every 
squadron  rode  about,  and  visited  the  scouts  that  were  without 
the  town  in  their  standings  by  the  passages,  and  the  crossbow- 


5 


men  that  kept  the  canoes  in  tlie  river.  And  because  the 
Indians  should  stand  in  fear  of  them,  he  determineil  to  send  a 
captain  to  Niiu>,  for  those  of  Guac/ioya  had  told  him  that  it  was 
inhabited  ;  that  by  using  them  cruelly,  neither  the  one  nor  the 
other  should  presume  to  assail  him  :  and  he  sent  A'uflez  t/e  Touar 
with  fifteen  horsemen,  ?iwA  John  de  Guzman  captain  o\  the  foot- 
men, with  his  company  in  canoes  up  the  river.  The  Cat  icpie  of 
Giurc/una  sent  for  many  canoes  and  many  warlike  Indians  to  go 
with  the  Christians  :  and  the  captain  of  the  Christians,  called 
Nunez  de  Touar^  went  by  land  with  his  horsemen,  and  two 
leagues  before  he  came  to  Nilco  he  stayed  iox  John  dt'  Guzman, 
and  in  that  place  they  passed  the  river  by  night:  the  horsemen 
came  tirst,  and  in  the  morning  by  break  of  day  in  sight  of  the 
town  they  lighted  upon  a  spy  ;  which  as  soon  as  he  perceived 
the  Christians,  crying  out  amain  (led  to  the  town  to  give  warn- 
ing. Niificz  de  Touar  and  his  company  made  such  speed,  that 
before  the  Indians  of  the  town  could  fully  come  out,  they  were 
upon  them  :  it  was  champaign  ground  that  was  inhabited,  which 
was  about  a  quarter  of  a  league.  There  were  about  five  or  six 
thousand  people  in  the  town  ;  and,  as  many  people  came  out  of 
the  houses,  and  fled  from  one  house  to  another,  and  many  Ind- 
ians came  flocking  together  from  all  parts,  there  was  never  a 
horseman  that  was  not  alone  among  many.  The  captain  had 
commanded  that  they  should  not  spare  the  life  of  any  male. 
Their  disorder  was  so  great,  that  there  was  no  Indian  that  shot 
an  arrow  at  any  Christian.  The  shrieks  of  women  and  children 
were  so  great,  that  they  made  the  ears  deaf  of  those  that 
followed  them.  There  were  slain  a  hundred  Indians,  little 
more  or  less :  and  many  were  wounded  with  great  wounds, 
whom  they  suffered  to  escape  to  strike  a  terror  in  the  rest  that 
were  not  there.  There  were  some  so  cruel  and  butcherlike, 
that  they  killed  old  and  young,  and  all  that  they  met,  though 
they  made  no  resistance  ;  and  those  which  presumed  of  them- 
selves for  their  valor,  and  were  taken  for  such,  broke  through 
the  Indians,  bearing  down  many  with  their  stirrups  and  breasts 
of  their  horses ;  and  some  they  wounded  with  their  lances,  and 
so  let  them  go :  and  when  they  saw  any  youth  or  woman  they 
took  them,  and  delivered  them  to  the  footmen.  These  men's 
sins  by  God's  permission  lighted  on  their  own  heads;  who,  be- 
cause they  would  seem  valiant,  became  cruel ;  showing  them- 
selves extreme  cowards  in  the  sight  of  all  men  when  as  most 
need  of  valor  was  required,  and  afterwards  they  came  to  a 
shameful  death.  Of  the  Indians  of  Nilco  were  taken  prisoners 
fourscore  women  and  children,  and  much  spoil.     The  Indians 


F^ 


li      ' 


'.  f. 


of  duachoya  kept  bnck  before  they  came  at  the  town,  and 
stayed  without,  beholding  the  success  f)f  the  Christians  with  the 
men  of  Nilco.  And  when  they  saw  tiiem  put  to  flight,  and  the 
horsemen  busy  in  killinn;  of  them,  they  hastened  to  the  houses 
to  rob,  and  tilled  their  canoes  with  the  spoil  of  the  goods  ;  and 
returned  to  Guachoya  before  the  Christians ;  and  wondering 
much  at  the  sharp  dealing  whicii  they  had  seen  them  use  towarcl 
the  Indians  of  Nilco,  they  told  their  cacique  all  that  had  passed 
with  great  astonishment. 

The  Governor  felt  in  himself  that  the  hour  approached 
wherein  he  was  to  leave  this  present  life,  and  called  for  the 
king's  officers,  captains,  and  principal  persons,  to  whom  he 
made  a  speech,  saying  :  — 

"  That  now  he;  was  to  go  to  give  an  account  before  the 
presence  of  (iod  of  all  his  life  past :  and  since  it  pleased  him 
to  take  him  in  such  a  time,  and  that  the  time  was  come  that  he 
knew  his  death,  that  he  his  most  unworthy  servant  did  yield 
him  many  tlianks  therefor  ;  and  desired  all  that  were  present 
and  absent  (whom  he  confessed  himself  to  be  much  beholding 
unto  for  their  singular  virtues,  love  and  loyally,  which  himself 
had  well  tried  in  the  travels  which  they  had  suffered,  which  al- 
ways in  his  mind  he  did  hope  to  satisfy  and  reward,  when  it 
should  please  Ood  to  give  him  rest,  with  more  prosperity  of  his 
estate),  thai  they  would  pray  to  Cod  for  him,  that  for  his  mercy 
he  would  forgive  him  his  sins,  and  receive  his  soul  into  eternal 
glory  :  and  that  they  would  quit  and  free  him  of  the  charge 
which  he  had  over  them,  and  ought  unto  them  all,  and  that  they 
would  pardon  him  for  some  wrongs  which  they  might  have  re- 
ceived of  Iiim.  And  to  avoid  some  division,  which  upon  his 
death  might  fall  out  upon  the  choice  of  his  successor,  he  re- 
quested them  to  elect  a  principal  person,  and  able  to  govern,  of 
whom  all  should  like  well ;  and  when  he  was  elected,  they 
should  swear  before  him  to  ol)ey  him  :  and  that  he  would  thank 
them  very  much  in  so  doing;  because  the  grief  that  he  had 
would  somewhat  be  assuaged,  and  the  pain  that  he  felt,  because 
he  left  them  in  so  great  confusion,  to  wit,  in  leaving  them  in  a 
strange  country,  where  they  knew  not  where  they  were." 

Baltasar  dc  Galle^os  answered  in  the  name  of  all  the  rest. 
And  first  of  all  comforting  him,  he  set  before  his  eyes  how  short 
the  life  of  this  world  was,  and  with  how  many  troubles  and 
miseries  it  is  accompanied,  and  how  God  showed  him  a  singular 
favor  which  soonest  left  it :  telling  him  many  other  things  fit 
for  such  a  time.  And  for  the  last  point,  that  since  it  pleased 
God  to  take  him  to  himself,  although  his  death  did  justly  grieve 


ii^ 


thev 
ke  re- 
his 
re- 
n,  of 
they 
lank 
had 
a  use 
in  a 

rest, 
short 

and 
^ular 

s  fit 

ased 
rieve 


them  murh.  yet  as  well  he,  as  all  the  rest,  ou,2;ht  of  necesstiy  to 
conform  themselves  to  tlui  will  of  Clod.  And  toiichinjj  the 
(iovt-rnor  which  he  commanded  they  should  eK'ct,  he  bt'souj^dit 
him,  that  it  would  please  his  lordship  to  name  him  wh'ch  he 
thought  fit,  and  him  they  would  obey.  And  presently  In 
named  Lnys  lie  Moscoso  dc  .■i!riV(u/i\  his  captain-p;eneral.  And 
presently  he  was  sworn  by  all  that  were  present,  and  elected  foi 
governor.  The  next  day  being  the  21st  of  May,  154?,  de 
parted  out  of  this  life,  the  valorous,  virtuous,  and  valiani 
("aptain,  /->,'//  Frrnarulo  dc  Soto,  (iovernor  of  Culxi,  and  Ad« 
lantado  of  Florida:  whom  fortune  advanced,  as  it  usetli  V- 
do  others,  that  he  might  have  the  higher  fall.  He  departed  in 
such  a  place,  and  at  such  a  time,  as  in  his  sickness  he  had  but 
little  comfort :  and  the  danger  wherein  all  his  people  were  ot 
perishing  in  that  country,  which  appeareil  before  their  eyes,  was 
cause  suftkient  why  every  one  of  them  had  need  of  comfort, 
and  why  they  did  not  visit  nor  accompany  him  as  they  ought  tf» 
have  done,  Luys  de  Moscoso  determined  to  conceal  his  deatli 
from  the  Indians,  because  Ftr(/i/i(mdo  dr  S()t(>  had  made  th.eru 
believe  that  the  Christians  were  immortal  ;  and  also  becaus*^- 
they  took  him  to  be  hardy,  wise,  and  valiant :  and  if  they  should 
know  that  he  was  dead,  they  would  lie  bold  to  set  upon  the 
Christians,  though  they  lived  peaceably  by  them.  In  regard  ot 
their  disposition,  and  because  they  were  nothing  constant,  and 
believed  all  that  was  told  them,  the  Adelantado  made  them  be- 
lieve, that  he  knew  some  things  that  passed  in  secret  among 
themselves,  without  their  knowledge,  how,  or  in  what  manner 
he  came  by  them:  and  that  the  tigure  which  appeared  in  a 
glass,  which  he  showed  them,  did  lei!  him  whatsoever  they  prac- 
ticed and  went  about:  and  therefore  neither  in  word  nor  deed 
durst  they  attempt  anything  that  might  be  prejudicial  unto  him. 
As  soon  as  he  was  dead,  Luys  de  AToscoso  commanded  to  put 
him  secretly  in  the  house,  where  he  remained  three  days  ;  and 
moving  him  from  thence,  commanrled  him  to  be  buried  in  the 
night  at  one  of  the  gates  of  the  town  within  the  wall.  And  as  the 
Indians  had  seen  him  sick,  and  missed  him,  so  did  they  suspect 
what  might  be.  And  passing  by  the  place  where  he  was  buried, 
seeing  the  earth  moved,  they  looked  and  spake  one  to  another. 
iMys  de  Moscoso  understanding  of  it,  commanded  him  to  be 
taken  up  by  night,  and  to  cast  a  great  deal  of  sand  into  the 
mantles,  wherein  he  was  wound  up,  wherein  he  was  carried  in  a 
canoe,  and  thrown  into  the  midst  of  the  river.  The  Cacique  of 
Guachoya  inquired  for  him,  demanding  what  was  become  of 
his  brother  and  lord,  the  Governor.     Luys  de  Moscoso  told  him 


w 


8 


that  he  was  gone  to  heaven,  as  many  other  times  he  did  :  ;incl 
brcause  he  vv.is  to  stay  there  certain  days  he  had  left  him  in  his 
phice.  The  caci(|ue  th()u;;ht  with  himself  that  he  was  dead  ; 
and  coinmaiuied  two  young  and  well-proportioned  Indians  to  be 
brought  thiihcr;  and  said,  that  the  use  of  that  country  was, 
when  any  hiid  died,  to  kill  Indians  to  wait  upon  him,  and  serve 
him  by  the  way,  and  for  that  purpose  by  his  connnandment 
were  those  come  thitiier  :  and  piayed  /.ins  dc  Mosc<>so  to  com- 
mand them  to  be  beheaded,  that  they  might  attend  and  serve 
his  lord  and  brother.  J.uys  tie  Afosrosd  told  him,  that  the  (iov- 
crnor  was  not  dead,  but  gone  to  heaven,  and  that  of  his  own 
Christian  soldiers  he  had  taken  su(  h  as  he  needed  to  serve 
liim,  and  |)rayed  him  to  connnand  those  Indians  to  be  loosed, 
and  not  to  use  any  such  bad  custom  from  thenceforth  :  straight- 
way he  commanded  them  to  be  loosed,  and  to  get  them  home 
to  their  houses.  And  one  of  them  would  not  go  ;  saying,  that 
he  would  not  serve  him,  tiiat  without  desert  iiad  judged  him 
to  death,  but  that  he  would  serve  him  as  long  as  he  lived,  which 
had  sa\i(l.  his  life. 

Lays  tte  Moscoso  caused  all  the  goods  of  the  Governor  to  be 
sold  at  an  outcry:  to  wit,  two  men  slaves  and  two  women 
slaves,  and  three  horses,  and  seven  hundred  hogs.  For  e\ery 
slave  or  horse,  they  gave  two  or  three  thousand  ducats  :  which 
were  to  be  paid  at  the  first  melting  of  gold  or  silver,  or  at  the 
division  of  tiieir  portion  of  iidieritance.  And  they  entered 
into  bonds,  though  in  the  country  there  was  not  wherewith,  to 
pay  it  within  a  year  after,  and  put  in  sureties  for  the  same. 
Such  as  in  Sp,iin  had  no  goods  to  bind,  gave  two  hundred 
ducats  for  a  hog,  giving  assurance  after  the  same  manner. 
Those  which  had  any  goods  in  Spain  bought  with  niore  fear, 
and  bought  the  less.  From  that  time  forward,  most  of  the 
company  had  swine,  and  brought  them  up,  and  fed  upon  them  ; 
and  observed  Fridays  and  Saturdays,  and  the  evenings  of 
feasts,  which  before  they  did  not.  For  some  times  in  two  or 
three  months  they  did  eat  no  Hesh,  and  whensoever  they  could 
come  by  it,  they  did  eat  it. 

Some  were  glad  of  the  death  of  Don  Ferdinando  de  Soto,  hold- 
ing for  certain  that  Luys  de  Moscoso  (which  was  given  to  his 
ease),  would  rather  desire  to  be  among  the  Christians  at  rest, 
than  to  continue  the  labors  of  the  war  in  subduing  and  dis- 
covering of  countries;  whereof  they  were  already  weary,  seeing 
the  small  profit  that  ensued  thereof.  The  Governor  commanded 
the  captains  and  principal  persons  to  meet  to  consult  and  deter- 
mine what  they  should  do.     And  being  informed  what  peopled 


hold- 

lO  his 

rest, 

(1  dis- 

jeeing 

inded 

deter- 

opled 


hnbitntion  was  round  about,  he  understood  tliat  to  the  west  the 
country  was  inosi  inhahittil,  .md  that  down  the  ri\er  beyond 
Qiiii^a/tii  was  luunhabited,  and  had  Httle  store  of  food.  He  de- 
sired them  all,  that  every  one  would  give  his  opinion  in  writin;^. 
and  set  his  hand  to  it:  tliat  thcv  tniy:ht  resolve  bv  ;reneral  corj- 
sent,  whether  they  should  };o  down  the  river,  or  enter  into  the 
main  land.  All  were  of  opinion,  tliat  it  was  best  to  go  by  land 
toward  the  west,  because  Nuera  lispaf\a  was  that  way;  holdinj^ 
the  voyage  by  sea  more  dangerous,  and  of  greatei  hazard,  be- 
cause they  could  makt;  no  ship  of  any  strength  to  abide  a 
storm,  neither  had  they  master,  nor  pilrf.  compass,  nor  chart, 
neither  knew  they  how  far  the  sea  was  off,  wox  had  any  notice 
of  it  ;  nor  whether  the  river  did  make  any  gre.-  turn"ng  intf)  the 
land,  or  had  any  great  fall  from  the  rocks,  where  all  of  them 
might  be  cast  away.  And  some  which  '>  d  se^n  tho  :>ja-chart 
did  find,  that  from  the  place  where  they  were  by  iiie  sea-coast 
to  i'\  V  ■■'  '  Espafla  might  be  four  hur.drcd  lea^ii.s.  little  more  oi' 
less;  and  said,  that  though  iliey  went  somcvvhjt  about  by  land 
in  seeking  a  peopled  country,  if  some  greai  wilderness  which 
they  could  not  pass  did  hinder  them,  by  spending  that  summer 
in  travel,  fmding  provision  to  pass  the  winter  in  some  peop'  'I 
country,  that  the  next  summer  after  they  might  come  to  some 
Christian  land,  and  that  it  might  fortune  in  their  travel  by  land 
to  find  some  rich  country,  where  they  might  do  themselves 
good.  The  (lovernor,  although  he  desired  to  get  ort  )f  Florula 
in  shorter  time,  seeing  the  inconveniences  they  laid  before  liim, 
in  travelling  by  sea,  determined  to  follow  that  which  seemed 
good  to  them  all.  On  Monday,  the  fifth  day  of  June,  he  de- 
parted from  Guac/ioya.  'I'he  cacicjue  ga\e  him  a  guide  to 
C'h(jguaii\  and  stayed  at  home  in  his  own  town.  'I'hey  [)assed 
through  a  province  called  Catalte:  and  having  passed  a  wilder- 
ness of  six  days'  journey,  the  twentieth  day  of  the  month  he 
came  to  Chaguate.  'I'he  cacique  of  this  province  had  visited 
the  (joverner  Don  Frrdinam/o  i/e  Soto  at  Aiit/<imqiu\  whither  \\c 
brought  him  presents  of  skins,  and  mantles,  and  salt.  And  a 
day  before  Luys  tic  A/oscoso  came  to  his  town,  we  lost  a  Chris- 
tian that  was  sick  ;  which  he  suspected  that  the  Indians  had 
slain.  He  sent  the  cacique  word,  that  he  should  command  his 
people  to  seek  him  up,  and  scpt  him  unto  him,  and  that  he 
would  hold  him,  as  he  did,  for  his  friend ;  and  if  he  did  not, 
that  neither  he,  nor  his,  should  escape  his  hands,  and  that  he 
would  set  his  country  on  fire.  Presently  the  cacique  came  unto 
him,  and  brought  a  great  present  of  mantles  and  skins,  and  the 
Christian  that  was  lost,  and  made  this  speech  following  : 


I!!*.... 


10 


Ih 


*'  Right  excellent  lord,  I  would  not  deserve  that  conceit 
which  you  had  of  me,  for  all  the  treasure  of  the  world.  What 
aiiiforced  me  to  ^o  to  visit  and  serve  the  excellent  Lord  Gov- 
cernor  your  father  in  Autiainque,  which  you  should  have  remem- 
iljercd,  where  I  olfered  myself  with  all  loyalty,  faith  and  love, 
during  my  life  to  serve  and  obey  him  ?  W'iiat  then  could  be  the 
cause,  I  having  received  favors  of  him,  and  neither  you  nor  he 
having  done  me  any  wrong,  that  should  move  me  to  do  the 
thing  which  1  ought  not  ?  Believe  this  of  me,  that  neither 
wrong,  nor  any  worldly  interest,  was  able  to  make  me  to 
have  done  it,  nor  shall  be  able  to  blind  me.  But  as  in  this  life 
it  is  a  natural  course,  that  after  one  pleasure  many  sorrows  do 
follow  :  so  by  your  indignation,  fortune  would  moderate  the 
joy,  which  my  heart  conceiveth  with  your  presence ;  and  that  1 
should  err,  where  I  thought  surest  to  have  hit  the  mark  ;  in 
harboring  this  (Christian  which  was  lost,  and  using  him  in  such 
manner,  as  he  may  tell  himself,  thinking  that  herein  I  did  you 
service,  with  purpose  to  deliver  him  unto  you  in  Chag/ia/e,  and 
to  serve  you  to  the  uttermost  of  my  power.  If  I  deserve  punish- 
ment for  this,  I  will  receive  it  at  your  hands,  as  from  my  lord, 
as  if  it  were  a  favor.  For  the  love  which  I  did  bear  to  the  ex- 
cellent Governor,  and  which  I  bear  to  you,  hath  no  limit.  And 
like  as  you  give  me  chastisement,  so  will  you  also  show  me 
favor.  And  that  which  now  I  crave  of  you  is  this,  to  declare 
your  will  unto  me,  and  those  things  wherein  1  may  be  able  to 
do  you  the  most  and  best  service." 

The  Governor  answered  him,  that  because  he  did  not  find  him 
in  that  town,  he  was  incensed  against  him,  thinking  he  had 
absented  himself,  as  others  had  done  :  but  seeing  he  now  knew 
his  loyalty  and  love,  he  would  always  hold  him  as  a  brother, 
and  favor  him  with  all  his  affairs.  The  cacique  went  with  him 
to  the  town  where  he  resided,  which  was  a  day's  journey  from 
thence. 


The  passage  given  in  the  present  leaflet  is  taken  from  what  is  usually  re- 
ferred to  in  English  as  the  Narrative  of  the  Gtutleman  of  Elvas.  This  is  an 
account  of  the  expedition  of  l)e  Soto,  written  by  one  of  the  Spaniards  who 
accompanied  him,  and  first  printed  in  1557  at  Evora.  The  Gentleman  of 
Elvas  is  supposed  by  some  to  be  Alvaro  Fernandez;  but  this  is  a  matter  of 
doubt.  The  first  English  translation  —  which  is  that  used  for  the  present 
leaflet  —  was  made  by  Hakluyt,  who  printed  it  in  London  in  1609,  under  the 
title  Virginia  richly  valued  by  the  Description  of  the  Mainland  of  Florida,  her 
next  Neighbor,  and  again  in  161 1  as  The  worthye  and  famous  Nistorie  of  the 
Tra-,ailles,  Discm'ery  and  Cotujnest  of  Terra  Florida.  The  161 1  edition  was 
reprinted  by  the  Hakluyt  Society  in  1851,  edited  by  William  B.  Kye,  and  is 


m 


him 
had 
Iknew 
ther, 
him 
from 


II 

incluclt;cl  in  Forctj's  Tract:  (vol.  iv.)  and  in  French's  Ilistorira!  Co/lections  of 
Louisiana  (vol.  ii.).  In  i86(')  Mr.  ituckingham  Smith  published  translations 
of  the  narratives  of  the  Gentleman  of  Klvas  and  of  Hiedma,  in  the  fifth 
volume  of  the  Bradford  Clrib  Series,  uniler  the  title  of  A'tirrn/ivi-s  of  the 
Career  of  Ilerttaiido  de  Soto  in  the  Conquest  of  Florida,  as  told  hy  a  Kntglit  of 
Elvas  and  in  a  Relation  \  presented  i  544 1  by  Luys  Hernandez  de  Hiedma. 

This  l)riefcr  original  Spanish  account  hv  ]>iednia  long  remained  in  manu- 
script in  the  archives  at  Seville,  and  was  first  published  in  n  French  version 
in  1N41  ;  and  irom  this  William  li.  Rye  translated  it  for  the  volume  already 
referred  to  published  bv  the  Hakluyt  Society  in  1851,  which  included  Hak- 
luyt's  version  of  the  f^lvas  narrative.  An  abrid.gment  of  this  also  appears 
in  Fiench's  I/isioriial  Collections  of  Louisiana  (vol.  ii.). 

A  third  original  account  of  De  Soto's  expedition  is  the  Florida  del  Y'ncaui 
La  \'cga.  written  forty  years  after  De  Soto's  death,  it  is  based  upon  con- 
versations with  a  Spanish  noble  who  had  accompanied  De  Soto,  and  the 
written  reports  of  two  common  soldiers  ;  but  its  spirit  of  e.\aggcration  has 
brought  it  into  discredit  with  many  historical  schol.irs.  An  I'aiglish  version 
of  it  is  embodied  in  Bernard  Shipp's  History  of  JLmando  de  Soto  and 
Florida. 

Still  another  account  of  the  expedition  \a  the  official  report  which  Rodrigo 
Kanjel,  the  secretary  of  De  Soto,  based  upon  his  diary  kept  on  the  m.irch; 
but  this  account  is  incomj/lete,  and  there  is  no  English  version  of  it.  There 
is  a  letter  of  De  Soto,  dated  Julv  9,  1  539,  describing  his  vovage  and  land- 
ing, which  was  translated  and  jiubli'^hed  by  Buckingham  Smith  in  1854. 
A  version  f)f  this  letter  may  also  be  found  in  French's  Historical  Collections 
of  Louisiana,  vol.  ii. 

Further  information  concerning  the  works  upon  De  Soto  and  the  other  ex- 
plorers of  Florida  may  be  found  in  the  notes  appended  by  John  (iilmary 
.shea  to  his  valuable  chapter  on  Ancient  Florida,  in  the  Narrative  and 
Critical  History  of  America,  vol.  ii.  The  (piestion  of  De  Soto's  route  is  here 
fully  discussed,  with  the  aid  of  valuable  old  maps. 


|illy  re- 
is  an 
Is  who 
lan  of 
Her  of 
Iresent 
Per  the 
da,  her 
J  of  the 
bn  was 
land  is 


